Bin stores let you hit the jackpot

I hit up a bin store the other day. It’s where returned and overstock items find a second chance. I spotted a sealed 2-by-2-foot mystery box for 10 bucks. Naturally, I had to buy it. What was inside? 

Four pairs of men’s black socks, a cat bell, two potato peelers, an iPhone stand and a women’s tee that said, “Cowboys in my veins. Jesus in my heart.” 

What the heck is a bin store?

These are usually small, independently owned shops packed with random Amazon, Target and Walmart returns, overstock inventory and liquidated goods. Some stuff is junk, but you can score deals.

How do you find one?

Easy! Try one of these methods:

🔎 Google it: Search for “bin stores near me,” “Amazon return stores” or “bargain bin stores.” They go by a ton of names.

📍 Facebook Marketplace: Many store owners list their hauls here. Look for listings with warehouse-style photos. Those are your jackpot.

📸 Social media sleuthing: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc. are full of bin store hauls. Use these hashtags: #[YourCity]BinStore (e.g., #DallasBinStore), #[YourState]BinStore (e.g., #FloridaBinStore), #LocalBinStore and #BinStoresNearMe.

💬 Reddit recon: Type in “bin store [your state]” and see if anyone has shared a hidden gem near you.

No returns at bin stores

That’s important to know and so are these tips.

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Stop making these AI mistakes

If you’re not using AI in your business or professional life yet, guess what? Your competitors are and they’re getting ahead. Time to change that. 

The secret to making AI actually useful? Asking the right questions. A lazy prompt gets you a lazy answer. A smart one is where the magic happens. Here are three power-packed AI prompts to start using today.

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Don’t miss ‘Amazon Pet Day’

🐱 Today’s your last chance to fetch more savings.

  • Walk with a no-pull harness (11% off) that won’t choke your pup.
  • Muddy paws? This washable doormat (28% off) catches all that dirt.
  • Snag a pet door (22% off) with three flaps to lock the weather outside.
  • This smart fountain (43% off) tracks if your kitty is drinking enough water.
  • Clean your furball with a vacuum (20% off) that comes with seven tools.
  • And a pet bed (5% off) shaped like ramen. Weird? Yep. Comfy? Totally.

🐾 More pawsome picks: That’s just a taste. Hit this link for more Amazon pet steals your furry friend will bark (or purr) for.

‘Amazon Pet Day’ starts now

🐶 Don’t miss your chance to snag some barking good deals.

  • Pet hair everywhere? This fur removal tool (15% off) scrapes it all away.
  • Lavender-scented poop bags (23% off) sure make scoop duty easier.
  • Grab a two-pack of containers (10% off) to roll and scoop your pet’s food.
  • These rubber balls (45% off) are way better than your old tennis ones. 
  • Large pups? This back seat extender (33% off) holds up to 400 pounds.
  • Take your cat anywhere in a backpack (14% off) with a built-in fan and light.
  • Btw, no need to pay Apple prices for high-quality earbuds. These give you great sound, noise isolation and are 15% off.*

🦴 More to chew: Click here to see everything Amazon’s got for your furry friend in their full sale.

Outside’s calling

☀️ The weather’s heating up. Here’s how to make the most of it.

  • Keep your cool with a portable fan (23% off) that hangs around your neck.
  • These outdoor string lights (37% off) give your patio space a glow-up. 
  • Bring the bass to the pool or beach with a waterproof speaker (25% off).
  • Old seat cushions? Freshen up with comfy new chair pads (20% off).
  • This dog doormat (26% off) catches dirt before it hits your floors.
  • Stick on a mosquito repellent patch (28% off) instead of a messy spray.

👩‍💻 “Kim, what tech do you use?” Glad you asked, check out my page for gear I love and rely on daily.

Mother’s Day is 10 days away!

💝 Forget boring. These ideas are personal and heartfelt.

🌻 Shop my Mother’s Day Ultimate Gift List now. You’ll find the perfect gift for the special person in your life.

Homebody armor

🛟 Think of this list as bubble wrapping for your everyday life.

  • Leg covers (29% off) keep your chairs from scuffing your beautiful floors.
  • These stretchy chair covers (20% off) add color and guard against spills.
  • Stop door slams and pinched fingers with handy door stoppers ($9).
  • Big project? Cut-proof gloves (30% off) protect your hands while you DIY.
  • Slip on some tinted safety glasses (19% off) that fit over your regular specs.

🔒 Lock it down: Add an extra layer of “hands off” with a two-pack of padlocks (22% off) for your backpack, briefcase or luggage.

🛍️ Don’t pay full price: When stores clear out their inventory at the end of each season, that’s your chance to save. Type “end of season clearance” into Amazon’s search bar and use the filters on the left to find what you need. And check out Amazon Outlet for overstocked and off-season deals.

😒 Comcast’s sneaky offer: New Xfinity customers can now lock their internet price for five years. Talking $55/month for 400 Mbps or $105 for 2.1 Gbps. The catch? It doesn’t include taxes or fees. Plus, internet deals will get cheaper with competition from Starlink and AT&T’s satellite service. Locking in your price for five years sounds great, until you realize the fees are multiplying in the dark like gremlins.

🤑 Oldie but goodie: Senior discounts aren’t just for folks 65 and up. SeniorLiving has a huge list of deals at grocery stores, restaurants, retail and more. Some kick in as early as age 50. Whether you’re in that age bracket or getting close, it pays to check it out.

LinkedIn influencers? It’s not just for jobs anymore. People are sharing personal stories mixed with career advice, and it’s making them famous. Take April Little (paywall link). She wrote about layoffs, went viral and now has 260,000 followers and $150,000 in brand deals. A little shameless self-promotion: Share this with your friends on LinkedIn and tell ’em to sign up for my newsletter at GetKim.com. TY!

Outdoor gear under $50

☀️ Because who says adventure has to be expensive? So many good deals in Amazon’s spring sale!

💡 A bright idea: Power up your essentials with Duracell (49% off) or Energizer (40% off) AA batteries, so you don’t run out of juice.

No-brainer spring deals

🐰 Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has me hopping. Need a rec? Leave me a comment.

📈 What’s trending? Hit this link for more great deals while they last.

Early bird gets the deals

🐣 Amazon’s throwing a Big Spring Sale. Now’s your chance to grab some tech at smokin’ deals.

🛒 Don’t stop here: Amazon has more where this came from. Click here to snag whatever else you’ve been eyeing.

How to score deals on Facebook Marketplace

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Facebook isn’t the go-to social media for Gen Z anymore, but Marketplace is keeping them around. Here’s how to find hidden gems and the best deals.

eBay haggling 101: How to score the best deals

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Lowball offer got ignored? Don’t give up yet. The longer a seller waits, the better your chances.

Water, water everywhere

I get bored drinking water all the time. Let’s make it fun.

  • True Lemon packets are like keeping lemon wedges in your purse or desk.
  • A rainbow’s worth of silicone straws (19% off) for colorful sipping.
  • When your water comes in those big, blue 5-gallon jugs, this convenient pump (39% off) replaces the bulky dispenser.
  • DIY nugget ice gives you the Sonic experience at home. Crunch, crunch, crunch.
  • Stop buying bottled water and grab a Brita premium bottle (32% off) that filters.

✅ To-do: A fireproof, waterproof organizer is the right way to store important docs like your passport and birth certificate.

Now this is crafty: JOANN, the fabric and crafting chain, is going out of business. Didn’t take long for scammers to set up fake sites with closeout prices 80% to 90% off retail. The real site (with real deals) is joann.com. Anything else is a fake.

External hard drives to back up your PC or Mac

So you want a backup drive? Here are my top three picks. Order it now while you’re thinking about it. Everyone needs one of these!

1. Toshiba Canvio Basics (Affordable and simple)

Best for: Budget-friendly external storage and backups for Mac and PC

🔗 View on Amazon, $61.99

🎯 Pros: Affordable, plug and play, comes in different size options

⚠️ Cons: No encryption or password protection and not great for high-speed transfers

2. LaCie Rugged USB-C (Durable and travel-friendly storage)

Best for: Photographers, videographers and others who need rugged, shockproof storage
🔗 View on Amazon, $149.99

🎯 Pros: Shock-, dust- and water-resistant, plus USB-C compatibility

⚠️ Cons: More expensive and bulkier than basic external drives

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Delete it: Go ahead and remove the chat app Telegram from kids’ phones because “more than 90%” of drug deals and illegal gun sales start there. Telegram, of course, says crime happens on every online platform. I’m all for privacy, but kids don’t need encrypted chat.